Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.

My Department's annual report for 2021 was published on gov.ieand laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas last July. The report sets out the work of my Department in 2021 to deliver under the strategic priorities set out in the Department's three-year statement of strategy.

My Department continues to work at the centre to ensure that the policies developed support the Government's commitment to developing Ireland in a sustainable way that supports economic development and social progress. Through the work of the ten Cabinet committees supported by my Department, a range of cross-Government work was advanced during 2021 in line with the strategic priorities set out, for example, management of the whole-of-government response to Covid-19, including the national vaccination programme roll-out. The economic recovery plan, with a progress report on implementation published in June, is helping to drive a jobs-rich recovery and supporting the economy in transitioning towards a decarbonised and digital economy. Among the deliverables progressed is a new national digital strategy, Harnessing Digital - The Digital Ireland Framework, co-ordinated through my Department.

Other work included: the publication of the Housing for All plan, an ambitious and far-reaching plan to address the provision of housing, increase the supply of housing and provide a sustainable housing system into the future; supporting the cross-Government work to manage the ongoing economic and political impacts of Brexit; driving delivery of our commitments on the shared island initiative on a whole-of-government basis through the shared island unit in my Department and the shared island fund; and supporting Ireland's role in Europe and the world, including through my participation in the European Council, Ireland's seat on the UN Security Council and with respect to ongoing developments regarding the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol.

Other social policy work advanced during 2021 included wider health service reforms, further education and special education needs provision and finalisation of the White Paper on direct provision. Other work included: delivery of an initial well-being framework for Ireland and a supporting information hub, which are being developed to better understand and measure our progress as a country; the completion of the work of the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality; the launch of the revised national development plan, setting out the roadmap for investment of €165 billion in new and upgraded infrastructure over the decade ahead; the signing into law of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021; the establishment of the marine planning framework; the publication of the Climate Action Plan 2021; and three legislative programmes published during 2021 setting out priority legislation across Government.

My Department's priorities for the coming period will include advancing work to protect energy supply and mitigate the impact of the rising cost of energy; a continued focus on the Government's humanitarian response to the situation in Ukraine; economic recovery and investment; driving delivery of Housing for All and measures on climate action; and progressing health and wider social reforms, EU engagement and Northern Ireland, including continuing to advance our shared island agenda.

Furthermore, my Department will continue to be responsive to new and emerging challenges.

See this speech in context